All the time people tell me that after looking at my blog, they see someone on the street and think ‘that’s such a Sartorialist moment.’ I feel the same way whenever I’m at a beautiful resort or beach and see a situation and think ‘that’s such a Slim Aarons moment.’

Slim Aarons shot the kind of life that most of us dream of living. And even though it’s not my everydayÂ existence, I want to challenge myself in the future to create my own modern version of that beautiful world Slim Aarons created through his images.

I received several emails protesting that a student’s hectic work schedule doesn’t allow “looking good” to be high on his or her list of priorities.

It seemed a lot of you were hurt that I just didn’t understand how tough it was for overworked fashion design students.

Sorry, I understand completely because I lived that life 25 years ago.

Above is a top collar that I hand Stitched in a tailoring class (I would show you the finished suit but Mom threw it out !!;( ) Â I too spent countless days and nights in the sewing lab just like fashion students today.

However, I wish the 45 year old me would have given the 20 year old me this advice….To be a successful fashion designer, it’s not all about what happens in the design studio.

You have to learn something about how to manage a business (especially since most designers start their businesses balancing between being the designer, accountant, press agent, etc), how to articulate your design concept and how to personally embody the spirit of the brand you hope to build.

Do you think Karl ever says “I’m too busy/tired to look like Karl today?” (And before you say “oh he has massive numbers of people helping him” believe me, he is more busy than any design student.)

Most design schools don’t do a great job teaching this reality to students so you can put off until after you graduate to start learning these other skills and habits, but why wait? Â Start manifesting these skills/habits now.

At least challenge yourself to start personally embodying the spirit of your design aesthetic; Karl looks like his designs, Giorgio looks like his designs, Raf looks like his designs. Â It’s not easy, but neither is the fashion industry.

I saw this young lady doing fashion sketches in Union Square the other day. I thought there was something so charming in how lost in her own world she was while she worked.

I just stood there for a little while, watching and trying to figure out how to capture the moment. Suddenly, the clouds opened for a few minutes and the sun bounced off her white notebook, lighting her face perfectly and basically creating the image for me.

I was at one of my favorite stores, Leo Design, the other day and discovered a new product called Barr-Co. Eau De Parfum. I had to buy it immediately, solely based on the incredible packaging.Â To be honest, I still donâ€™t even know what it smells like.Â Iâ€™m sure it smells great, but it looks even better.

As you know, Iâ€™m a huge fan of the Santa Maria Novella and this packing is the American version of that beautiful period of typography.